Summary: We seem to focus on the material things when it comes to Thanksgiving, in Psalm 103:1-5 we are given 5 reasons we can stand up and give thanks to God!

• It is so easy to forget the small things in life; it is easy to forget the BIG things also.

• Milk, a washer and dryer, a TV remote, the and most tragic loss of all, it looks like his iPad disappeared!

• During the course of life, we get too busy to take a moment to pause and give thanks.

• Think about all the simple things in life we can be thankful for. I am thankful for so much, life could have turned out so much worse, I could have been born into poverty in some other country with no way to escape it.

• When the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the autumn of 1621, only 53 of the original 102 passengers who left on the Mayflower of September of 1620 we still alive to celebrate.

• SLIDES 2,3,4

• Here is a copy of an original passenger list written by Governor Bradford that he compiled up to 1651.

• It is also easy to forget things we do not see. God has done so much in our lives that we do not see, hear, or smell; nonetheless, He has done some great things for us.

• Those without Jesus right now need to understand that these gifts are meant for them too, if they will give their lives to Jesus Christ.

• Today we will explore Psalm 103:1-5 together. This Psalm is attributed to David, the timing of the Psalm is not easy to nail down, but it is probably penned later in his life; suffice to say that David was full of joy during the writing of this Psalm.

• When you look at the previous Psalm, Psalm 102, this one stands in stark contrast to the depressing Psalm 102.

• Forgiveness of sins is not that flashy sports car, nor is it that fat bank account we all desire. Nevertheless, having one’s sins forgiven by God is the key opening the door to all the other rich blessings God has in store for us.

• Have you ever done something to another person who you cared about, yet they would not forgive you?

• Does it feel great to know that you are sorry for something, yet here you stand unforgiven.

• Now imagine that person comes to you one day and forgives you. How would that feel?